As I have aged the holiday season has become cold and mournful (everyone you care for leaves and you are left staring at empty chairs and alone with shadows of regrets), however there are memories of once happy times that keep some spark of cheer glowing for myself in November through January and MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean somehow taps into those secret recollections with their realistic smelling gourmands, touches of vintage delight and whimsy and overall presentation that whisks all me away to a better place and time and I can't recommend this enchanting shop enough for someone that needs a smile or a unexpected reminder of comfort and joy not just in the winter months but throughout the year. Winter Spray-In Hair Tangler formula- I'll open this rambling long overdue review with first commenting on MoonaLisa's Hair Detangler formula which is a true holy grail for myself and something my vanity table will never be seen without. It's not only a compulsion anymore but an absolute necessity to stock up with as many bottles of these hair-loving elixirs as I can afford every release and then hoard them away to treat myself to a unique blend every morning and night. With my (past) waist length mane, I run through a generous sized bottle about every month and half and I truly receive my full money's worth with these products (I can't stop touching my soft manageable hair now). The longevity on the fragrance varies between each blend, however, I have discovered citrus and spice based bottles can last days in my hair. I know I keep saying this every post when it comes to MoonaLisa, but it's the truth: where has this product been all my life!? Iced Gingerbread (Gathered Notes and Description: Realistic Gingerbread blend with mild nostalgic Yuletide spice and white icing) As it says on the tin and this is my holy grail gingerbread fragrance home at last to spray and lavish my locks anytime I wish. To touch briefly on the scent composition (I still have the perfume and argan hair oil versions to gush about shortly) this is a rich spicy cookie scent with white chocolate icing very reminiscent of the old fashioned animal crackers we are all still looking for when we pass the cookie aisle or visit little mom & pop stores. When it comes to longevity I can enjoy about 3 days of spice, vanilla and happy thoughts with Iced Gingerbread in the detangler and I have found it pairs fabulously with different floral perfumes I happen to dab in my curls; lilac with Iced Gingerbread is my current favourite and fingers crossed a certain scent artist reads this and creates this magical marriage next year. Christmas Cocoa (Gathered Notes and Description: What warms your heart and hearth more than a steaming cup of Christmas Cocoa. Hot cocoa with an espresso shot, topped with gobs of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, chili and nutmeg, with a hint of sweet smoldering yule fire in the distance.) This is Moona's signature chocolate accord shot through with espresso and a glorious sky-high mound of realistic whipped cream with a dusting of spice and wisp of smoke. It was also one of the first bottles from this haul I was tempted to take a little taste of. The listed smoke is becoming more noticeable as this bottle is aging and I wore this detangler (along with my S'mores & Hot Cocoa perfume also by MoonaLisa) to a regional cake festival this past January and I had a few people leaning (uncomfortably) close and saying something smelled delicious while in a long line to get to the festival, so I guess those two fragrances are winners! For similar blends to look out for during the year, those that have had the pleasure to try Cauldron Cakes in the fall, you would love Christmas Cocoa. Snuggler (Gathered Notes and Description: The drink of choice while wintering in North Beach, San Francisco! Rich dark hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps.) Another fragrance I fell hard for last winter and had to indulge in a special treat for myself in 2019. The mysteries of skin chemistry still amaze me and hold so many surprises in store it seems because however how decadent and unexpectedly akin to dark chocolate cake Snuggler smells in the perfume verison, the peppermint schnapps amplifies in my hair with the detangler form and I do have to watch in case I'm taken for a holiday lush when first applied, haha oops. That punch of peppermint booze calms down though but I still enjoy this fragrance at home and may just spoil myself further next year and get a dusting powder to cover myself in. The longevity of Snuggler in the detangler is also impressive going on for nearly 2 days. Blood Orange & Chocolate (Gathered Notes and Description: Just like the traditional Yuletide candy treat! Made with only real Orange essential oil, as are ALL of our citrus oils are ALWAYS all natural! And rich, dark Chocolate fragrance and Cocoa Absolute) Sitting back I guess I collected quite a few chocolate blends with this haul and was craving something particular. Saying that, I'm sad to admit, Blood Orange & Chocolate wasn't exactly for me and I will stick with Whole for my dream winter orange aroma next year; this one although extremely realistic to chocolate covered oranges just didn't work in my hair as a fragrance. I bet Blood Orange & Chocolate would be divine in a soap or bath milk and I will try that form eventually as the orange is tart and sweet smelling while the cocoa absolute grounds it. I still used the entire bottle of this detangler and highly recommend it if you love the scent of chocolate covered fruit. Longevity and throw was mixed for this blend, certain times it would go for 2 days that I could still smell the citrus and others I couldn't smell it on my braid late that night. Ah well, that happens, can't fall for everything (and my pocketbook sighs in relief). Noona's Christmas Cookies (Gathered Notes and Description: A tribute to KC’s (Mooman) Sicilian Great-Grandmother. Made just like KC’s Nonna would make her special cookies ever year! A little of this, and a little of that) Well here's another bottle I was tempted to drink as Noona's Christmas Cookies is fresh oatmeal cookies from the oven drizzled in white chocolate, a hint of warm spice in the bottle and then has a bewitching realistic milky creaminess that amplifies in my hair. Mmm absolutely magnificent and I had to put a note on this bottle to use all others before even touching this scent confection again...and the bottle is nearly empty in June. I plan to hoard up on this scent come Yule 2020 in everything I can afford. For longevity this delicious smelling gem goes on for a day so I will definitely be layering it with the perfume, lotion, dusting powder and argan oil this coming winter to get the maxium scrumptious effect. I want to smell like a walking cookie! Argan Oil Hair Rescue formula- I can't have or recommend the detangler without mentioning the argan oil formula MoonaLisa offers because they are a match made in hair heaven and these products have worked absolute magic on my tresses. I have never had such shiny healthy looking hair. The Argan Oil I use after I have brushed out my mane with the aid of the Detangler then I add a dime size amount of argan oil in different scents to the end of my hair. If I have any excess oil on my hands I flip my hair down and place the excess in the back of my head. I run thru a bottle about every 3 months and they are worth every penny. Iced Gingerbread (Gathered Notes and Desciption: Realistic Gingerbread blend with mild nostalgic Yuletide spice and white icing) If anything the spices amplify a tiny bit more in the argan oil form which is perfectly okay with me as I can't stop talking about and stop waltzing about with this halo of irresistible gingerbread and white icing complete with vanilla extract and butter. I must hoard more next year and never run out. Milk Bath in Snuggler (Gathered Notes and Description: The drink of choice while wintering in North Beach, San Francisco! Rich dark hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps.) This was my first Milk Bath purchase and certainly not my last as the formula is gentle and moisturzing plus fragrant with a boozy peppermint patty scent I could just float in. I have also tested this item on my tresses and it works wonderfully as a mild shampoo in a pinch as well as a shaving lather and of course as a bubble bath formula (it makes a nice blanket of minty bubbles with the smallest drops added to running water). The milk bath itself is a pearlescent white when poured and the scent lasts as long as it takes to get out of my water filled sanctuary. I can immediately put on any perfume I choose and the aromas do not clash. I need this in The Rumpkin!, Kitchen Witch, Lilacs & Hyacinths (review coming soon) and my beloved Aurelia. Uh oh, this is the start of another fragrant collection, hehe. *Must mention the adorable pop-up ornament of a gingerbread house that was tucked in my order (this shop makes you feel so special with every package). I displayed it in my office at work, thank you so much Moona! Snow Ice (Gathered Notes and Description: Fond memories Moona has when a child at camp during the Nevada snows, making natural "ice cream" from ice cold snow, condensed milk, Sugar and Vanilla extract. This scent is reminiscent of that: sweet crystallized vanilla sugar and cream) Mmm! What can I say this is another holy grail perfume for me as this is most delectable vanilla I have encountered in the indie realm [claps]. Snow Ice is sublime, a true masterpiece as it's dreamy and gourmand but never childish or cloying and anyone could wear this as it isn't heavy and perfect for the workplace setting. I call this "lace ice cream" because it's so pretty, finishes off any look and yet so delicous smelling. I know this is a winter scent but I happily wear this oil all year round, very happy I purchased a full bottle. Iced Gingerbread (Gathered Notes and Desciption: Realistic Gingerbread blend with mild nostalgic Yuletide spice and white icing) The search is over, THIS is the gingerbread perfume of my dreams I have been searching for ever since I stepped foot into the indie perfume realm. We have here the ideal gingerbread scent sealed in a bottle along with a whiff of iced animal crackers I fondly remember and even a trace of butter and old-fashioned vanilla extract that appears after 6 hours. It's warm, comforting, incredibly realistic AND it stays on my skin more than 10 minutes (I finally have a gingerbread scent confection I can wear everywhere). I'm so happy and can't stop dancing! Surprise Extra Gifts (thank you, MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean) The Gloaming perfume oil (Birch, silver fir, spruce, Cypress, peppermint, frankincense, cinnamon bark) *a sample that appeared in my one yule order/ there were 2 and I combined them for this review. This shop is renowned for their gourmand scents but they also do realistic resins and earthy fragrances magnificently as well and The Gloaming is a perfect example. When applied it's like being directly underneath a pine tree with the needles and dirt, it's extremely relaxing and has a meditative quality I can lose myself in. I swear I smell unlisted patchouli as I'm receiving that familiar "peanut butter and metal mix" my skin chemistry morphs patchouli into with different blends and I'm in love. The refreshing peppermint appears hours later and I have been using The Gloaming to escape the June heat as I fall asleep. I hope this fragrance appears this coming winter because I would love a detangler and bath milk or bath salt pot in The Gloaming. I think Krampus Night! has some competition. Simmering Potpourri in Yuletide Cheer (Listed as "an all natural blend of All-spice, Grapefruit peels, Cinnamon Star Anice, Nutmeg, Ginger Root, Hibiscus, Sea Salt & Essential Oils") In the bag, it's sweet fruit with seasonal spices that smell like Wassail or Glogg without the alcohol and I don't know about anyone else but this and the sparkle spray that appeared in the Halloween boxes need to be permanent items with each release. When in the heated pot the fragrance is intoxicating and my house is filled with the heavenly scent of spice and fruit. Bulldog funk is no match for Yuletide Cheer as it transforms everything and brightens moods to all that smell it when they visit. I hope this returns next winter. What a creative extra something special to finish this amazing haul. MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean Comments are closed.
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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